How to start a daycare in Kentucky.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services licenses child care centers in Kentucky. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Kentucky, step by step
Go to a Getting Started meeting
A Getting Started meeting for new providers is recommended, but not required.
Source: Licensed ProviderGet zoning approval
Get written proof from your local authority that your center meets zoning rules.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Get State Fire Marshal approval
Your center must be approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Check water and sewage
Your water and sewage system must be approved under local, county and state law.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Get liability insurance
Get written proof of liability insurance for your center.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Complete background checks
You, your director and staff who are there during care need background checks.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Apply with form OIG-DRCC-01
Send the Initial Child-Care Center License Application to the Cabinet.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.Open under a preliminary license
Once approved, you get a preliminary license for a trial period of up to 6 months.
Source: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care. Makes sure child care providers are licensed, certified or exempt as the law requires.Source: Kentucky Campaign for Child Care
- Type I child-care center
- 4 or more children outside a home, or 13 or more in space apart from your homeSource: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.
- Before you open
- You need a preliminary license firstSource: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.
- Regular license
- Lasts one year, then you renew itSource: 922 KAR 2:090. Child-care center licensure.
- Rules
- 922 KAR Chapter 2Source: Kentucky Campaign for Child Care
Good to know
- Child Care Aware coaches can walk through your proposed center and help you collect documents.Source: Licensed Provider
Run a program in Kentucky? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Kentucky
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Kentucky licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in Kentucky
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in Kentucky
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Kentucky?
The first step: Go to a Getting Started meeting. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Kentucky?
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care. Makes sure child care providers are licensed, certified or exempt as the law requires.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Kentucky?
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